Compact and demountable fluid connection device

Abstract

A connection device for connecting a tubular connector to equipment comprises: —a connection end fitting formed by a tubular body and a head mounted thereon, the head being provided with an opening leading into the tubular body and comprising a retaining groove; —a flexible lock, which has an annular shape and is intended to be partially received in the retaining groove, the lock being provided with lugs extending radially toward the center of the lock, wherein the flexible lock is deformable and the lugs can close on the tubular connector and abut against the collar when the tubular connector is introduced into the connection end fitting; —an unlocking ring having a collar for insertion into the connection end fitting, the collar including unlocking elements for interacting with the flexible lock to force the opening thereof when the unlocking ring is rotated.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A connection device for connecting a tubular connector defining a longitudinal direction provided with an annular collar to an equipment comprising a passage, the connection device comprising:
 a connection end fitting connecting to the passage of the equipment, the connection end fitting being formed of a tubular body and a head mounted thereon provided with an opening leading into the tubular body and comprising a retaining groove, the head comprising at least one notch leading into the retaining groove; 
 a flexible ring-shaped lock configured to be housed in part in the retaining groove, the lock including at least one lug extending radially toward the center of the lock and at least one longitudinal indexing piece connected to the lug and housed in the notch of the groove, the flexible lock being deformable and the lugs closing on the tubular connector after the passage of the collar when the tubular connector is inserted longitudinally into the connection end fitting; and 
 an unlocking ring provided with a collar configured to be inserted into the connection end fitting, the collar including release elements interacting with the indexing pieces of the flexible lock to force its opening when the unlocking ring is rotated. 
 
     
     
       2. The connection device of  claim 1 , wherein the passage is circular and includes an inner thread, and the tubular body includes an outer thread to secure the connection end to the equipment. 
     
     
       3. The connection device of  claim 2 , wherein the lugs have inclined planes to facilitate the deformation of the lock during the insertion of the tubular connector through the connection end piece. 
     
     
       4. The connection device of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible lock has a “C” shape and comprises two free ends capable of approaching one another. 
     
     
       5. The connection device of  claim 4 , wherein the unlocking release elements comprise ramps. 
     
     
       6. The connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the ramps are separated from each other by a stop. 
     
     
       7. The connection device of  claim 5 , wherein each ramp has a monotonic progression. 
     
     
       8. The connection device of  claim 5 , wherein each ramp is formed of a plurality of portions to present a flared “U” profile. 
     
     
       9. The connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the ramps are shaped as portions of ellipses having as their center the center of the unlocking ring. 
     
     
       10. The connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the lugs are contained in a transverse plane. 
     
     
       11. The connection device of  claim 5 , wherein each longitudinal indexing piece has a projecting portion projecting toward the inside of the lock so as to form a guide space between this projecting portion and the lug, the projecting portion overhanging the lug to receive the unlocking elements. 
     
     
       12. The connection device of  claim 1 , wherein the lugs have inclined planes to facilitate the deformation of the lock during the insertion of the tubular connector through the connection end piece. 
     
     
       13. The connection device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible lock has a “C” shape and comprises two free ends capable of approaching one another. 
     
     
       14. The connection device of  claim 1 , wherein the unlocking release elements comprise ramps. 
     
     
       15. The connection device of  claim 14 , wherein the ramps are separated from each other by a stop. 
     
     
       16. The connection device of  claim 14 , wherein each ramp has a monotonic progression. 
     
     
       17. The connection device of  claim 14 , wherein each ramp is formed of a plurality of portions to present a flared “U” profile. 
     
     
       18. The connection device of  claim 14 , wherein the ramps are shaped as portions of ellipses having as their center the center of the unlocking ring. 
     
     
       19. The connection device of  claim 1 , wherein the lugs are contained in a transverse plane. 
     
     
       20. The connection device of  claim 1 , wherein each longitudinal indexing piece has a projecting portion projecting toward the inside of the lock so as to form a guide space between this projecting portion and the lug, the projecting portion overhanging the lug to receive the unlocking elements.